My Surprise Mate

Dane moved Kyra’s bassinet from the living room into our bedroom.

As I got Kyra situated in our room, Dane went outside to talk to the guys and fill them in.

He wasn’t gone long and told me our house would be guarded from now until Devin is found.I had this gut feeling there was more going on than we realized.I couldn’t sleep at all, and Dane slept off and on.I lay there watching Kyra most of the night and every little noise I heard had me sitting up in bed.

Kyra woke up around five that morning and I decided to stay up for the day.

After getting us both dressed, I headed to the kitchen to make breakfast.

Kyra seemed to be her normal happy self just like any other morning, blissfully unaware of what was going on.

Unsure if all three guys had stayed outside all night or not, I opened the front door and stepped out to find Zayd standing near the steps, "Good morning," I told him.

He smiled at me as he walked up the steps, "Morning dear.You should still be asleep."

He pulled me in for a hug.

Zayd and Adria acted like parents I never had, and they always seemed to help ease my worries.

"I couldn’t sleep and, besides, Kyra woke up hungry this morning."

he smiled and nodded his head, "well she is a growing girl, and we tend to eat more than normal humans."

"l was going to offer some breakfast and coffee but wasn’t sure or Colby.

"I'll take some coffee," Zayd replied.

"Me too!" I turned to find Ash walking toward the porch.

Neither of them looked as tired as I felt this morning.I led them into the kitchen and started pouring them each a cup while they sat down at the table.

"Good morning little princess," Zayd cooed to Kyra.She smiled brightly at him as he picked her up.

"Did y’all stay outside the whole night?" I questioned them.

"Yes and no,"

Ash started, "Four people were guarding all night, but we did rotate out with three of our best warriors to be able to squeeze in a little sleep."

I nodded in understanding as I handed them their mugs.

"Don’t forget Adria was here periodically through the night too."

"I had no idea she was out here too."

I watched as Zayd and Ash exchanged a knowing look, "What you have never seen is pissed off Adria when her family is being threatened.She wasn’t necessarily coming out to help guard but more to make sure we were doing it the ‘right’ way."

Both guys began to laugh, "she had us stationed around the house so there wasn’t a single side left unprotected, and every 15 minutes we had to switch spots to keep us alert."

Zayd was shaking his head as he spoke.

Dane walked into the kitchen wearing only a pair of sweatpants that hung dangerously low on his hips.

"Did we wake you?" I asked as he wrapped his arms around me and rested his head on top of mine.

He was watching Zayd playing with Kyra.

"No, you didn’t wake me.It’s just time to get up."

The front door opened as Adria came rushing in, have no idea how much trouble you two were fixing to be in." she pointed her finger at Ash and Zayd.

"Holly invited us in for coffee,"

Zayd started telling her as he walked toward her with Kyra, "you know I would never leave this angel unprotected."

Adria sighed, "I know honey, I just...I won’t let them get to her."

Zayd handed Kyra to her, "None of us will,"

Ash finally spoke.

I looked at Dane when there was a light knock at the door, "It’s Genesis and Blaze,"

Ash said as he went to open the door.

"Good morning,"

Genesis greeted as she followed Blaze into the house.

Blaze went straight to Adria and began talking to Kyra.

After setting Kyra on her playmat, Adria came and sat down at the table with us, "Should we have our meeting now or later in the office?"

She cut straight to the point.

"We just need Colby here and we can do it now.No reason to wait." I answered.

"He’s on his way,"

Dane reached over, slipping his hand into mine.

a seat at the table with

and received many gasps and low growls

the whole time I was talking, making me feel as

asked, looking

that just haven’t been adding

my hand

as I stared at him,

friendly, and when he told us about the prophecy, he said he couldn’t

was that? Now we are to believe that Devin and Nyla were able to not only bring

a very strict ruler.His command alone can even bring an Alpha to his knees, yet he couldn’t stop his own

to hurt him," I repeated

Apollo could have taken them both down without hurting them.His command may not

the day we met and our conversations since then, trying to think of anything that seemed odd, but other than what Dane pointed out, I couldn’t remember anything that would make me feel as

you think Apollo is a part

looked at Zayd this

of this than any of us realized.I know this isn’t something you want to hear, but

Zayd told me gently.

ached a little at the thought of being betrayed by my father, the father lam just starting to get

you could get in of his

as much as you can about this prophecy.Ash and Colby, I need training kicked back up and regular sweeps up to two miles outside the border done at least

heads, a

the door as everyone slowly left, "When your dad calls, you need to act normal.Don’t

to me.I was now

really in the mood

to make.Do you want to stay home today, or

the packhouse."

can go together.I don’t want you out walking around by yourself, especially if you have Kyra with

nodded at him

We walked together to the packhouse, stopping a few times to

me to the office next door to his where Adria and

of them that looked to be

"Any luck?"

down in her bounce seat.I’m pretty sure Kyra has toys, playpens, and play mats in

at me shaking their heads, "Not

Adria replied.

through the pages as I scanned for anything about the Moon Goddess or

in this one that it is rare, but the Moon Goddess has appeared in dreams before.But it

stated as she rose

get Blaze and I will be

Dane walked through the door, "Any luck?" he asked as he picked

the book she was currently reading and stood stretching her limbs out, "Not yet

on the phone; he said he would meet us downstairs for lunch," Dane

at the clock hanging on the wall above the door, surprised to see it was already time for

would explain

to miss a meal, I thought to

downstairs together, meeting up with everyone as

her

back on everything that has happened and is still happening, I couldn’t help but realize that even though Apollo has been friendly since meeting him,

conversations are focused mainly on Kyra and how she has

didn’t think it was

Devin, the prophecy, or how things were going there, Apollo would always quickly change the subject back to Kyra or give me very vague

I murmured lost in

we should

one of worry, but he didn’t push

if Apollo could be in on this with Devin? I mean, I know that Dane doesn’t really trust him, but could Apollo be the mastermind behind this? I didn’t know Devin well enough to say if he

into a thousand knots.I didn’t want to believe that Apollo’s intentions had been anything but good—unfortunately, it looked like he had played

Adria took the kids to her house so they could take a nap while the rest of us went upstairs to Dane’s

this," I

up in surprise at

good points this morning and it got me really thinking.Apollo was a little too friendly when he was here.He hasn’t been able to come back to visit in person since, but I have regular phone calls with him.Every phone call is about me and Kyra, mainly Kyra though.Anytime I ask about Devin, or how things are going there, or the prophecy, he is quick to change the subject or gives me very vague answers in return.Then there is

engulfed in silence once I finished spilling my

office to gauge

saying that I don’t believe you, because I agree with you.I do think Apollo is playing a part, but whether he is the

shook my head as I thought about

the phone

I looked at Zayd.

was on the phone before lunch,

doesn’t like to talk on the phone much, but he did say he was planning to come and speak with us.He wouldn’t say anything else other than he would be

my face a little, "Why not talk

smiled at me, "Vampires are very private,

me to sit down, "And your

sigh, wishing none of this

looked at Zayd, "I spoke with

the very few people I fully trust to discuss this with.He

whole pack, but then again, there aren't

needed

does he want to do that?" I finally just

has good reason to do it.Dayton said his loyalty lies with his family and, as far as the Royal Pack goes, his loyalty is with you.He’s never been a huge fan of Apollo’s,"

was shocked to hear his loyalty wasn’t with Apollo, but with

knows me, but he has been willing to stand beside us

have Adria call

from his chair, "remind Ash and Colby that Dominick will be coming

office, the silence once again